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Hi guys, this is my first time dealing with letting agents and it unsurprisingly instantly warrants a thread.

I have been informed I need to pay a £360 'referencing fee' before I can move into my flat at the end of the month.

Am I getting mugged the fuck off here? Cos I swear to god I've never heard of anyone paying more than £100 to get their references checked, and even that seems extortionate (I don't even have any references?!)

I was gonna send them a reply asking them to detail out exactly why it costs this much and try and haggle down. Will this work?

years ago, and while it had an SE London postcode, it was a stone's throw from a SW London. given that we should probably allow for a South Central zone, it's that. no spiritual affiliation to proper SE at all

I *really* need to move in to this flat as the tenants are some of my best friends and one just happens to be moving out. The landlord has approved me via the agency, but they're just trying to fleece me I think.

It seems fair enough to charge something for the work, but in line with the actual cost. So, £12 for a credit check, £12 for taking up a reference. A bit like how bank charges were never full banned but were reined in.